Cooling apparatus for a plurality of fluids



May 30, 1950 H. cs. MOJONNIER COOLING APPARATUS FOR A PLURALITY OF FLUIDS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 8, 1945 INVENTORf Patented May 30, 1950 UNITED COOLING APPARATUS FOR A PLURALITY OF FLUIDS Harry G. Mojonnier, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Mojonnier Bros. 00., "Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application August 8, 1945, Serial No. 609,5b4

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus, and particularly to cooler or evaporator structures for use therewith.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cooling apparatus, for use with refrigerating systems, of improved construction and improved operating characteristics. More specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved cooling apparatus, of the type defined, wherein a plurality of fluids, such as liquids or gases, may be cooled in separated but cooperative relationship, in a continuous manner.

Still more specifically stated, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved cooling apparatus for effecting the cooling of a plurality of fluids, wherein the apparatus employs a single refrigerant circulating and control mechanism, and wherein the structure provides a self-contained and compact unit of low cost, of high cooling eihciency, and of improved sanitation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cooler apparatus, particularly adapted for the cooperative cooling and carbonating of water and syrup, for use in connection with carbonated beverage bottling apparatus.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is set forth for purposes of illustration.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout:

Fig. 1 is a general layout, somewhat diagrammatic in form, of a refrigerating system incorporating a cooler apparatus constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top View of the cooling apparatus, on an enlarged scale, and with parts broken away to illustrate certain of the details of construction;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view, in longitudinal section, of one of the tube or heat transfer assemblies of the main cooler or evaporator;

Fig. i is an enlarged detail view of a part of the auxiliary cooler or evaporator; and

Fig. 5 is a' side view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the combined cooler apparatus, illustrating various details and features of the construction.

In the drawings the invention has been illustrated as applied to the cooling and carbonatin of water, and the cooperative cooling of syrup, for use with bottling apparatus for carbonated beverages, as certain aspects and features of the invention are particularly adapted for such use and operation. It is to be understood however that the invention, in its various features and aspects, may also be used for effecting the conjoint cooling of various fluids, either in liquid or gas form, and in installations 0t various kinds and purposes, as may be required.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 572,527, filed January 12, 1945, and entitled Evaporator having refrigerant recirculation means, now issued as Patent No. 2,462,329, dated February 22, 1949.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, in Fig. 1 there is shown, diagrammatically, a refrigerating system comprising a compressor l0 driven from a suitable source of power, such as an electric motor I2, through a drive mechanism It. The compressed gaseous refrigerant, which may for example be ammonia or Freon, is transmitted by means of a pipe or conduit IE to a condenser, diagrammatically indicated at is. In the condenser the refrigerant is condensed into liquid form, and transmitted by means of a con duit 25 to an injector structure 22, later to be described, by means of which it is introduced into the main or principal cooler 24, of the cooling apparatus. A valve 28, controlled by a solenoid 28, is suitably provided for cutting off the flow of refrigerant from the condenser to the cooler, as when the structure is not in use.

The fluid medium to be cooled within the main cooler, water in the particular embodiment illustrated, is introduced into the main cooler by means of a supply pipe 30, under control of the shut oif valve 32. Within the main cooler or evaporator the refrigerant medium and the waterto be cooled are subjected to thermal contact, in a manner presently to be more specifically described, and a heat exchange takes place. The cooled water is exhausted from the main cooler through an exhaust pipe 34 under control of a suitable shut off valve 36.

The refrigerant from the main cooler is circulated through an auxiliary cooler 38, by means of a pair of conduits 40 and 42 and in a manner later to be more specifically described; the refrigerant, transformed into gaseous state within the coolers, being exhausted therefrom through an exhaust line 44 under control of a back pressure regulating valve 46, and then being returned to the compressor for recirculation through a return line or pipe 48.

The fluid medium to be cooled in the auxiliary cooler, syrup in the particular embodiment disclosed, is transmitted thereto from a supply pipe 50 under control of a shut off valve 52. Within the auxiliary cooler the refrigerant medium and the syrup to be cooled are subjected to thermal contact, in a manner as will presently be described, the cooled syrup being withdrawn from the auxiliary cooler through an outlet pipe 5 under control of a shut oiT valve 55. As shown in the particular embodiment illustrated, the outlet lines as and 54 from the main and auxili ary coolers lead to a bottle filling apparatus, as diagrammatically indicated at 55, wherein the cooled syrup and water are introduced into bot tles, or other containers to be filled; sequentiaily and in predetermined proportions, whereby to provide the bottled beverage.

In the particular embodiment illustrated, means is provided as a part of the main cooler for carbonating the water during the cooling process, so that the water drawn from the main cooler will be suitably carbonated as well as cooled, whereby to provide a carbonated bevera'ge when mixed with the cooled syrup in the bottling apparatus. The carbonating gas s drawn from a supply pipe 53, leading for example from a suitable pressure source of carbon dioxide gas. A pressure regulator 6t reduces the gas pressure to a predetermined value, after which the gas passes under control of a shut off control valve 62 to a pipe 64 by which it is transmitted to the main cooler, and where it acts upon the water during the cooling process, in a manner presently to be described.

The details and construction of the cooling apparatus, comprising the main and auxiliary coolers, are illustrated in Figs. 2-5. The main cooler is similar to the cooler shown and de scribed in said copending application and comprises an outer cylindrical metal shell or cover plate 555, and an inner cylindrical metal shell ea, between which is interposed a wall it of insulat ing material such for example as cork or the like; The shell 68 may be secured at its upper end, as by welding, to a tube sheet '32, and at its lower end to a tube sheet Uh thereby forming a cylin drical tank-like structure for the refrigerant, as will presently be described; The outer cover shell 56 embracesthe tube sheetsiz and M, and extends therebetween.

Arranged above the lower tube shears, in pre'- determined spaced relation, is a separating baiiie wall and tube sheet l6 extending across the tank interior and suitably secured to the inner shell as by w ldin thereby providing within the tank an upper refrigerant chamber 18 and a lower refrigerant chamber 8! separated by the baiile wall member. 7 I

A series of pipes or tubes 82 are securely anchored respectively at their upper and lower ends within the tube sheets 12 and "E i, as by rolling or the like, best shown in Fig. 3. The baflie wall tube sheet l6 earries a series of tubes or pipes M, slightly larger than the tubes 22, and arranged in concentric relation thereto, the ubes 5 being connected to the bafiie wall ma ber insuitable manner, as for example byweld ing. In the particular embodiment shown, the tubes 8 are unsupported at their upper ends. and open v, directly into the upper refrigerant chamber it. Due, to the diiference in the size of the tubes, it will be seen that an annular space or passage 85 is provided between each set of tubes connecting the upper and lower refrigerant chambers 73 and 8t.

An upper head member 8'8 of dome-like shape is provided, welded to a flange ring which flange is in turn secured to the upper tube sheet 12 by means of a series of bolts as indicated at 92. The head member 88 forms an upper head chamber 94 communicating with the water inlet pipe 3%], as previously described.

At the lower end of the structure a similar dome-like head 86 secured to the tube sheet "M by bolts 98 provides a lower head chamber or reservoir liiil communicating with the outlet pipe 34, previously described, for the cooled water. The head chambers 94 and IE!!! communicate through the tubes 82, the water passing between the head chambers and downwardly through the tubes during the cooling process, as will presently be described: As best shown in Fig. 3, each of the tubes 82 is provided at its upper end with a cap member me, Which may for example sit loosely upon the tube, this cap member being provided with an annular series of openings N14 for distributing the water uniformly in the form of a circumferential film as it flows downwardly through the tube. Each cap member is also provided with an upwardly extending pipe projection we functioning in connection with the carbonating action, as will presently be described;

To effect the circulation of the refrigerant between the upper and lower refrigerant chambers i8 and 88, and for injecting the liquid refrigerant from the condenser into the main cooler, at a predetermined rate, the injector structure 22 is provided. The injector comprises a housing I 598 bolted to the cooler shell, this housing forming a chamber ll!) communicating with the upper refrigerant chamber '58. Within this chamber is an injector throat member H2 arranged to transmit the refrigerant from the chamber l!!! into the lower refrigerant chamber 89 of the cooler, the injector throat being associated with an injector nozzle member I I4 communicating with the refrigerant supply pipe 2! and the injector nozzle being of predetermined size in respect to the maximum load capacity of the cooling apparatus so as to inject liquid refrigerant into the cooler mechanism from the condenser at a predetermined rate, and also effect a predetermined circulation of refrigerant between the cooler chambers 1'8 and 80. In operation, several times as much liquid refrigerant may circulate through the injector throat H2, as is introduced to the cooler through the injector nozzle H4.

The vaporized refrigerant, which is vaporized within the cooler mechanism during the heat transfer processes, is ejected from the chamber H3 through the pipe M as previously described, under control of the back pressure regulating valve 46. A bafiie member H6 is provided for precluding undue return of liquid refrigerant from the evaporator chamber into the outlet pipe.

A sight glass H8 associated with the chamber '18, and a temperature indicator I20 adapted to be acted upon by the liquid refrigerant body, are provided for determining the operating conditions within the system, as will be understood.

In accordance with the present invention, the auxiliary cooler 38 is directly connected to and operates with the main cooler. More specifically, the auxiliary cooler structure comprises an outer cylindrical metal shell I22, and an inner metal shell or pipe member 124 separated by an insulating wall I25 of cork or the like, as in the case of the main cooler structure. The inner shell or pipe member 124 may be suitably secured, as by welding, to a pair of upper and lower tube sheets I28 and I 30, the outer shell member I22 also extending between the tube sheets, in embracing relation with the insulating wall. The tube or shell I24, together with the tube sheets, forms a chamber I 32, for refrigerant, within the auxiliary cooler structure. This chamber is connected at its upper end through the pipe 42 with the upper refrigerant chamber 18 of the main cooler, and at its lower end through the pipe 49 with the main cooler lower refrigerant chamber 8!]. erably the pipes 40 and 42 may be formed as integral extensions of the shell I24, being welded thereto, the pipes being provided at their ends with flanges I34 by means of which they are bolted to fittings I36 welded to the inner shell of the main cooler structure.

A series of pipes or tubes I38 extends between the tube sheets I28 and I30, being firmly secured thereto in suitable manner, as for example by rolling as indicated in Fig. 4. A casing or dome member I 40 interconnected with the syrup supply pipe 52 is clamped into fluid-tight engagement with the upper tube sheet by means of a series of brackets I42 and associated screw clamps I44. The brackets I42 engage the casing, being shaped to conform therewith, and are clamped into pressure engagement with the casing by the clamps I M having screw threaded anchorage into the tube sheet, as shown in Fig. 4. A gasket as indicated at M6 provides a fluid-tight connection between the casing Hill and the tube sheet, whereby to form a head chamber I48 communicating with the supply pipe 50 and the upper ends of the tubes I38.

A lower casing or dome member I55, forming a lower head chamber or syrup reservoir I52, is similarly clamped into fluid-tight engagement with the lower tube sheet I30, by means of a series of brackets I54 and associated clamp members I55, similar to the brackets and clamps Hi2 and I4 1. The lower chamber I52 communicates with the lower ends of the cooling pipes I38 and with the syrup outlet pipe 3 previously described.

The pipe 64, communicating with the pressure source of carbon dioxide gas, leads into the lower head chamber I of the main cooler, thereby communicating with the lower ends of the cooling tubes 22 of the evaporator structure. The gas communicates with the upper head chamber 94 through the tubes 82, the cap extension pipes use extending upwardly into the upper head chamber suhiciently so as to insure that there will be no interference between the gas flow and the water flow downwardly along the pipe surfaces. The upper head chamber of the main cooler is further preferably provided with an indicator or pressure gauge I58, Fig. 1,to indicate the gas pressure within the cooler, and with a purge valve Iii!) which may be manually opened from time to time to exhaust entrapped air or other unwanted gas from the cooler structure.

In the operation of the structure, and in the particular embodiment disclosed, the water to be cooled is introduced into the upper head chamber 94 01" the maincooler, and flows downwardly by gravity as a film along the inner wall surfaces of the pipes 82, under control of the metering orifices Ill of the cap members I92; and is accumulated within the lower head chamber or reservoir IIiil, to be drawn off as required. The gas under pressure, within the head chambers 94 andlllll, and within the pipes 82, acts upon the water during the cooling process, effecting the Prefcarbonation thereof during the cooling process.

The refrigerant, in liquid form, is introduced into the main cooler through the injector nozzle II 4, and simultaneously the refrigerant is circulated between the chambers I8 and 89 through the injector throat II2. In passing upwardly from chamber 32 to chamber 18, in the circulation process, the refrigerant passes along the annular spaces between the pipes 82 and 84, thereby providing a turbulent counter-flow of liquid refrigerant upwardly along the cooling pipes, providing a maximum thermal efliciency and cooling efiectiveness in the system. Whereas the liquid refrigerant body within the chamber 18 may only be substantially at the line A-A, as indicated in Fig. 1, providing an adequate separation space for vaporizing refrigerant, the effective liquid level which contacts the cooling tubes 32 extends upwardl to the upper ends of the pipes 84, thereby providing a maximum thermal contact in respect to the body of refrigerant used. Simultaneously as the refrigerant flows upwardly between the chambers 89 and IB, through the annular spaces 86 of the main cooler, it also flows through pipes Ml and 52, and up wardly through the chamber space I32 of the auxiliary cooler structure. is relativel smaller (substantially a five to one capacity ratio in the particular embodiment illustrated), and the chamber space I32 thereof functions substantially as a pipe, providing turbulent liquid refrigerant contact with the outer surfaces of the syrup cooling tubes I38, substantially along their entire lengths. In other words, the chamber space I32 of the auxiliary cooler, and the annular spaces 86 of the main cooler pipes, provide parallel paths for the turbulent liquid refrigerant, the refrigerant being propelled in liquid form, substantially along the entire lengths of the cooling tubes in both coolers, under propulsion of the single injector and con trol mechanism of the main cooler structure,

and with only a small pressure drop. As previously indicated, the syrup, the particular fluid being cooled in the embodiment set forth, passes downwardly through the cooling pipes I33 of the auxiliary cooler, and is cooled thereby. The vaporized refrigerant, resulting from the cooling processes in both coolers, separates within the chamber space I8 and returns through the pipe Ml, as previously described.

It will be seen that the construction provides a self-contained and compact unit for efiecting the conjoint cooling of a plurality of fluids, the apparatus being readily fabricated, easily cleaned upon removal of the heads, and of high cooling efficiency. Both coolers are operated from a single circulation control system, the main cooler in efiect being a surge drum for the auxiliary cooler, and correlative temperature conditions prevail in both cooler structures. Thus, for example, in the particular embodiment set forth a predetermined temperature relation will be maintained between the cooled syrup on the one hand, and the cooled carbonated. water on the other, producing maximum efficiency of operation'in the fillerapparatus. The cooling of the syrup, in conjunction with the cooling of the water, minimizes foaming as the liquids are commingled in the filling operatien, thereby speeding up the filling operations preventing gas loss from the carbonated water. The main and auxiliary coolers continuously function ation andcontrol. I

The auxiliary cooler As is obvious-, more than one auxiliary cooler maybe associated in 'themanner described with the maincooler structure, and-the fluids to be" cooled maybe passed through the coolers in multiple pass arrangements: if desired. It is obvious'that-various other changes may be made inthe specificembodiment set forth without de parting from the spirit of the invention. Theinvention is-accordinglynot'to be limited to the specific embodiment shown and described, but only as indicated in the-following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler, an auxiliary cooler, means for supplying refrigerant to the main cooler, means for oir-- culating the refrigerant'through the main cooler, means for supplying a fluid medium to be cooled to' the main cooler, means for supplying a fluid medium to be cooled to the auxiliary coolenand means including the circulating means for themain cooler and unrestricted refrigerant connections between themain cooler and auxiliary cool.- er for effecting the circulation of refrigerantthrough the auxiliary cooler.

2. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler, an auxiliary cooler, means for supplying water to the main cooler, means for supplying syrup to the auxiliary cooler, outlet connections from said coolers arranged for connection to a common filler apparatus for delivering the water and syrup thereto, and means for effecting circulation of a" common refrigerant mediunr through both said coolers in thermal contact with the water and syrup whereby to effect the cooling thereof, the auxiliary cooler obtaining its refrigerant from the main cooler.

3. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler, an auxiliary cooler, means for supplying Water to the main cooler, means for supplying syrup to the auxiliary cooler, outlet connections from said coolers arranged for connection to a common filler apparatus for delivering the water and syrup thereto, means for effecting circulation of a common refrigerant medium through both said coolers in thermal contact with the water and syrup whereby to effect the cooling thereof, the auxiliar cooler obtaining its refrigerant from the main cooler and means for supplying carbon dioxide gas under pressure to the main cooler and into contact with the water therein whereby to effect the carbonation thereof during the cooling process.

4. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes, an auxiliary cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the tubes of the main cooler, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the tubes of the auxiliary cooler, means for supplying refrigerant to the cooling apparatus, and means including connections between the coolers adjacent the corresponding ends of said tubes for effecting the circulation of said refrigerant through said coolers and into thermal contact with the tubes thereof.

5. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes, an auxiliary cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the tubes of the main cooler, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the tubes of the auxiliary cooler, means for supplying refrigerant to the cooling apparatus, and means including apumping mechanism associated with the main cooler and connections between the coolers adjacent the corresponding ends of said tubes for effecting thecirculation' of said refrige erant through said coolers and into thermal contact with the tubes thereof.

6. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes, an auxiliary cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extendingtubes, means. for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through. the tubes of the main cooler, means for directing a fluid medium to' be cooled. through the tubes of the auxiliary cooler, means for supplying refrigerant to the cooling apparatus, and means for eifecting the circulation of said refrigerant. through said coolers, said circulating means including provisions forcirculating the refrigerant in liquid form along the major length of said tubes While maintaining a. body of liquid refrigerant and a: vapor separation space above the refrigerant body in themaincooler.

l. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes and a pair of removable heads at the ends of said tubes, an auxiliary cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes and a pair of removable heads at the ends of the tubes, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the heads and tubes of the main cooler, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the heads and tubes of the auxiliary cooler,'means for supplying refrigerant tothe cooling apparatus, the tubes of the main. cooler and the tubes of the auxiliary cooler being disposed in general parallel relationship, and means including connections between the coolers adjacent the corresponding ends of the tubes for eifecting the circulation of said refrigerant through the coolers and into thermal contact with the tubes thereof.

8. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler, an auxiliary cooler, an injector structure for supplying refrigerant to the main cooler and for circulating the refrigerant through the main cooler, means for supplying a fluid medium to be cooled to the main cooler, means for supplying a fluid medium to be cooled to the auxiliary cooler, and refrigerant connections between the main cooler and auxiliary cooler whereby said injector also effects the conjoint circulation of refrigerant through the auxiliary cooler.

9. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes, an auxiliary cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the tubes of the main cooler, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the tubes of the auxiliary cooler, and means including an injector for effecting the circulation of a common refrigerant medium through both said coolers and into thermal contact with the tubes thereof.

10. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes and a pair of removable heads at the ends of the tubes, an auxiliary cooler having a plurality of longitudinally extending tubes and a pair of removable heads at the ends of the tubes, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the heads and tubes of the main cooler, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the heads and tubes of the auxiliary cooler, and means including an injector for effecting the circulation of a common refrig erant medium through both said coolers and along the major lengths of said tubes into thermal contact with said fluids to be cooled.

11. A cooling apparatus comprising a main cooler having a plurality of vertically extending tubes therein and a pair of removable heads at the ends of the tubes, an auxiliary cooler having a plurality of vertically extending tubes therein and a pair of removable heads at the ends of the tubes, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the heads and tubes of the main cooler, means for directing a fluid medium to be cooled through the heads and tubes of the auxiliary cooler, a series of pipes loosely embracing the tubes of the main cooler, and means including an injector and connections between the coolers adjacent the corresponding ends of the 15 Number tubes for effecting the circulation of a common refrigerant medium along the tubes of the auxiliary cooler and between the tubes and pipes of the main cooler, the main cooler providing externally of its pipes and tubes a reservoir for liquid refrigerant and a refrigerant vapor separation space above the reservoir.

HARRY G. MOJONNIER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 2,389,106 Marshall et a1 Nov. 13, 1945 

